Canadian women essayists have been overlooked for far too long. Even as someone who has read and studied many of the writers featured in this book, I was surprised to find that most of their published essay collections had slipped under my radar.
Why is that?
This lack of recognition certainly does not reflect the true impact of their work on critical and cultural discourse in Canada, as Christl Verduyn makes clear.
Her Own Thinker: Canadian Women Writers as Essayists is a comprehensive and illuminating exploration of this underappreciated branch of Canadian literature. Tracing the evolution of the genre and women’s contributions to it, Verduyn introduces readers to an impressive array of essayists, including well-known figures like Margaret Atwood, Margaret Laurence, Mavis Gallant, Dionne Brand, Alicia Elliott, and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, as well as lesser-known writers, spanning from the 1960s to the present.
“Published in 1975, it could have easily been written just last week.”
Examining topics such as belonging, language and identity, colonialism, racism, environmental devastation, and women’s experiences as writers, these essayists fearlessly confronted the “ugly aspects” of Canadian history (to borrow a phrase from Miriam Waddington) and brought attention to pressing social and environmental concerns long before they captured widespread public attention. This is a central theme of the book, and one that merits considerable attention. It is eye-opening to encounter words written decades ago that still urgently ring true today. Take, for instance, this excerpt from Margaret Laurence’s essay “Man of our People”:
“Canadians who, like myself, are the descendants of various settlers … must hear native peoples’ voices and ultimately become part of them, for they speak not only of the soul-searing injustices done to them but also of their rediscovered sense of self-worth and their ability to tell and teach the things needed to be known … We have largely forgotten how to live with, protect, and pay homage to our earth and the other creatures who share it with us … We have so much to learn and act upon, and time is getting short.”
Published in 1975, it could have easily been written just last week. And yet, I think we ought to be less impressed by the prescient nature of these essays and more disheartened by the fact that these women were evidently ignored.
Another interesting aspect of this book is Verduyn’s assessment of how these essays laid the foundation for themes and issues later explored in fiction. It’s common for novelists to use nonfiction as a space to work through and explore complex issues before incorporating them into their fiction, but by making these connections explicit, Verduyn enriches our understanding of the creative processes of these writers.
This book does not claim to be a definitive scholarly study; rather, it offers an engaging introduction to Canadian women essay writers. While it bears some markers of academic writing, its tone reflects a much more personal connection. It is evident that Verduyn is writing from personal interest—in writing, Can lit, and feminism. She advocates for these writers to receive the recognition they deserve and makes a compelling case for their significance.
Ultimately, Her Own Thinker is both an introduction and an invitation—to discover, appreciate, and engage with the remarkable and enduring words of Canadian women essayists.
Christl Verduyn works as a scholar and professor of Canadian literature. She is the author, editor/co-editor, and professor of books, articles, and essay collections on women writers and writers from historically marginalized communities.
- Publisher : Guernica Editions (June 1 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 100 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1771838027
- ISBN-13 : 978-1771838023
